Jobs/Economy

The Board of Supervisors today endorsed Vision2Succeed, a new campaign designed to strengthen the career skills of our local workforce by connecting county residents to opportunities that enhance their qualifications to support existing employers and attract new employers to San Bernardino County.

“A skilled workforce encourages a vibrant economy, and that is why we support Vision2Succeed,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Lovingood. “I encourage our community to get involved in learning experiences and programs that help to propel career growth and lifelong learning. Across the county we have a strong system of schools, colleges and universities as well as training and job resource centers that benefit residents and employers alike.”

A dynamic economy benefits all San Bernardino County residents. The Vision2Succeed.org website is a resource, providing residents with information about career exploration ideas, programs and events focused on workforce and skills development, as well as sharing opportunities to explore and participate in career options such as mentorships, internships and apprenticeships.

“Mentoring programs are a promising approach to enriching the lives of young people, addressing their need for positive adult role models, and providing one-on-one support and advocacy. Through a mentoring relationship, adult volunteers and participating youth make a significant commitment of time and energy to develop relationships devoted to personal, academic, and career development,” said Kathy Turnbull, Network Officer for Children’s Network.

The Board of Supervisors is asking all San Bernardino County residents and businesses to get involved in the launch of Vision2Succeed by posting career-building information on social media. For example, information or personal experiences about becoming a mentor, expanding a business, pursuing a new career or even changing careers. The board is also asking everyone to use the hashtags #Vision2Succeed and #myfirstjob on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

As one of the fastest growing population and employment centers in the nation, San Bernardino County is uniquely positioned to help its residents receive the skills they need to prosper in the 21st century economy. According to research conducted for the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board, the county’s economy is supported by a strong mix of businesses poised to expand over the next decade, with employment expected to grow by 73,097 jobs during that period. This continues a trend of San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire outpacing California and the nation in employment since the first quarter of 2013. In addition, the county has a relatively young population, foundational to bolstering the region’s long term prospects for economic growth.

Fully maximizing that potential requires an ecosystem in which stakeholders work side by side to develop and train a workforce prepared for career opportunities, particularly in high-growth industries. The Countywide Vision project will highlight school districts, colleges and employers, who have implemented comprehensive strategies to meet the employment needs of local business and encouraged development of career pathways for youth.

On Jan.17, the County will release its labor market intelligence report as part of its Workforce Roadmap presentation to the community. This presentation, a Vision2Succeed kickoff event, will help identify the county’s greatest areas of opportunity for job creation and workforce development, prioritize training investment, and support workforce development systems, ensuring our county remains a leading job creator for California.

In June 2011 the Board of Supervisors and the San Bernardino Council of Governments adopted the Countywide Vision in partnership with the community. The Countywide Vision provides a roadmap for the future of San Bernardino County, including the creation of a healthy and prosperous future for all who live, work and play here. Vision2Succeed is the fourth public campaign of the Countywide Vision Project following the successful Vision4Safety initiative, the Vision2BActive physical activity initiative and the Vision2Read literacy initiative.

The public — especially children who might be interested in careers as firefighters and their families — are invited to an open house at the San Bernardino fire station at 200 East 3rd St on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Those who attend can tour the station and see how firefighters live and work, interact with the firefighters, and see how they utilize their vehicles for different types of emergency situations. Sparky the mascot will be available for photos.

Share this post and photos from the event on social media using the hashtag #Vision4Safety.

Click here for more information about the event or contact San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Fire Prevention Officer Manny Sedano at 909-918-2201 or msedano@sbcfire.org. For more information about Vision4Safety, please visit vision4safety.com.

Applications are now being accepted from business, non-profit and government organizations wanting to participate in the Third Annual Colton Joint Unified School District College and Career Fair, to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Gonzales Community Center, 670 Colton Ave. in Colton.

This popular event is a collaborative effort of the Colton Joint Unified School District and City of Colton with sponsorship from the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Omnitrans, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, and Horace Mann Insurance (Marcos Mata Agency).

Businesses, government organizations, and non-profits are invited to participate by sharing career pathway information with students. This is an informational-only opportunity and no sales of any kind will be allowed. A table and chairs will be provided to all accepted participants at no cost.

The fair has become a popular tradition in Colton, with the district’s first two annual events each drawing more than 3,000 in attendance. The College and Career Fair features more than 100 booths representing colleges, universities, technical/trade schools and career pathways. The event also features workshops on how to pay for college and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Fun, hands-on activities will allow younger students to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) fields.

In a milestone decision on June 28, 2018, the state’s Strategic Growth Council (SGC) awarded San Bernardino $20 million through the California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program – a first for the Inland Empire. The win reflects a longstanding and heralded public-private partnership to revitalize one of San Bernardino’s core neighborhoods called Arrowhead Grove, formerly known as the Waterman Gardens Public Housing site.

“This decision is paramount in the continued effort toward rehabilitating the Waterman Corridor in San Bernardino,” said City of San Bernardino Mayor R. Carey Davis. “This is a testament to the power of community collaboration. With the support of our partners, we will continue to pursue safe and stable communities for our residents and families to thrive.”

The contribution via AHSC’s implementation of a statewide program uses Cap-and-Trade dollars for projects that improve public health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. The $20 million will help fund two upcoming phases of Arrowhead Grove at North Waterman Avenue and East Baseline Street, compromising 147 affordable housing units and 36 market-rate units, along with pedestrian and transit improvements that will benefit the community-at-large. Upon completion, Arrowhead Grove will include about 400 units as well as community amenities like a pool and clubhouse, upgraded infrastructure, walking paths, a community garden and a computer lab for residents.

National Community Renaissance (National CORE), one of the nation’s largest affordable housing developers and the general contractor for the project, is working in partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino to transform the Arrowhead Grove neighborhood.

“None of this would be possible without the collective commitment of the City, the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) and every stakeholder, funder and agency that have dedicated themselves to turning this dream into reality,” said Steve PonTell, president and chief executive officer of National CORE. “We are grateful for the SGC and the AHSC support and we are eager to move forward with the next stages of this transformative effort to rebuild San Bernardino block by block.”

“There is a critical need for affordable housing in San Bernardino County,” said Supervisor Josie Gonzales, whose Fifth District includes Arrowhead Grove. “We owe a great deal of thanks to our legislative delegation, the HASCB, National CORE, other county agencies, and the City of San Bernardino for the hard work they put into acquiring this vital funding source.”

Two initial phases of the Waterman Gardens redevelopment have already been completed. Valencia Vista, the first phase with 76 units, opened to residents in December 2016. A little more than a year later, Olive Meadow, the second phase with 62 units, opened in September 2017. Both have earned recognition from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, among others, for the transformative impact on the lives of residents and the community at-large.

“This was a collaborative effort with so many partners,” said Housing Authority of San Bernardino County’s Executive Director Maria Razo. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to effectively invest and leverage our dollars to achieve the vision of affordable housing and active transportation options that improve the health and well-being of the residents who live in the area.”

Financing for the overall Arrowhead Grove plan is through a variety of private and public sources including low-income housing tax credit financing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and federal HOME-Investment Partnership funds.

With this advancement and the continued momentum of the developer, agencies involved are hopeful that Arrowhead Grove’s construction will break ground in late 2018 or early 2019.

ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM (AHSC) The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) builds healthier communities and protects the environment by increasing the supply of affordable places to live near jobs, stores, transit, and other daily needs. This program is administered by the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) which coordinates the activities of State agencies and partners with stakeholders to promote sustainability, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians. The AHSC Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap‑and‑Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov

ABOUT NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE (NATIONAL CORE) National Community Renaissance, based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing. CORE manages nearly 9,000 affordable, senior and market-rate units in California, Arkansas, Texas and Florida. Over its nearly two decade history, the Hope through Housing Foundation has provided more than 2 million hours of transformational social services such as financial literacy training, senior wellness, and preschool and afterschool programs. For more information on National CORE and Hope through Housing, please visit www.nationalcore.org.

ABOUT HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO (HACSB) The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino is one of the nation’s most progressive housing authorities in the Country. As the largest provider of affordable housing in the County, we proudly serve approximately 30,000 people, most of whom are seniors, veterans, disabled individuals, and children. We also work on connecting our families with additional needed to achieve their personal goals. For more information, please visit: www.hacsb.com

ABOUT CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino is a city rooted in rich history and cultural diversity. Located at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, this city is positioned for world-class excellence made possible with access to nearby deserts, mountain communities and beaches. San Bernardino is also situated along one of the nation’s busiest transportation corridors and thrives as a logistics hub. Currently under a major revitalization effort, the City of San Bernardino has endless possibilities for the future. For additional information about San Bernardino, visit www.SBCity.org, facebook.com/sbcitygov or twitter.com/sbcitygov.

If you’re interested in making a difference in a young person’s life and helping your own business or institution, participant applications now are being accepted for the Second Annual CJUSD College and Career Fair, to be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Gonzales Community Center, 670 Colton Avenue in Colton.

Four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, technical/trade schools, businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations are welcome to participate in this event at no charge. The focus is college and career readiness.

This event is a collaborative effort of the Colton Joint Unified School District and City of Colton with sponsorship from the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Horace Mann Insurance (Marcos Mata), Farmers Insurance (RossVeckey Agency) and Omnitrans.

“We are excited and proud to bring the CJUSD College and Career Fair to our community for a second year,” said Superintendent Jerry Almendarez. “Last year’s event was a huge success with more than 3,000 in attendance and we are looking forward to another great event where our students can get the information they need to plan for the future.”

“The Mayor and council are excited to partner with CJUSD for the Second Annual College and Career Fair,” added Colton Mayor Richard De La Rosa. “We are always committed to assisting the district’s students with a jump start to higher education opportunities.”

The fair will provide students and families a “one-stop shop” where they can meet representatives from four-year colleges and universities, community colleges and technical/trade schools as well as business professionals who will be on hand to discuss a wide variety of career pathways. Workshops also will be presented to help students to plan for the future.

New this year will be a “STEAM” activity center where younger students can explore hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math activities.

A limited number of booths are still available at no charge. Please note that all presenters must showcase materials that are appropriate for school-aged children and intended to help them learn more about possible career and college choices. The district reserves the right to decline vendors or materials if they are deemed inappropriate or in violation of board policies.

Those needing assistance with registration or for answers to more questions, please contact CJUSD Communications Specialist Jacquie Paul at 909-580-6502 or Jacquie_Paul@cjusd.net for more information. Because spaces fill fast, it is recommended that those interested sign up as soon as possible.

The Community Foundation serving the counties of San Bernardino and Riverside is currently accepting online applications from nonprofits that would like to participate in Give BIG San Bernardino County. Give BIG San Bernardino County is an exciting 24-hour event to increase philanthropy in San Bernardino County through online giving on Nov. 29. The goal of the campaign is to raise much-needed funds for nonprofits serving the residents of, and visitors to, San Bernardino County.

Nonprofit requirements include one year of nonprofit 501(c)(3) status, have a physical location within the County of San Bernardino zip codes, or provide itinerant services in the County of San Bernardino. National nonprofits are welcome if a local chapter serves the County of San Bernardino.

To submit an application, please visit www.givebigsbcounty.org. To learn more about the campaign and upcoming training, visit Give BIG San Bernardino County on Facebook (GiveBigSanBernardinoCounty), Twitter@GiveBigSBCounty, or visit our website at www.givebigsbcounty.org. For assistance, call The Community Foundation at 909.644.6221.
Thanks to funding and support from the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors and the contributions of generous sponsors, Give Big San Bernardino County is providing valuable training to nonprofits in the use of social media, cultivating relationships with donors, developing a communications plan, and raising much-needed funds from online donors. These online donations provide critical funding to help nonprofits in San Bernardino County not only address poverty but also other challenges the county residents face in the areas of education, health, the environment, public safety, family and youth services. Give BIG San Bernardino County also provides donors with an online giving platform, whose donations help to improve the quality of life for all through recreation, the arts, and more.

The CRY-ROP YouthACT Team includes Fernando Olivarez, Nicole Drazin, and Branley Acevedo

California’s YouthACT team from San Bernardino County are conducting a presentation this week at the 16th Annual Arizona Department of Education’s transition conference about how they used their advocacy skills to shape their transition experiences into adulthood.

The session is “YouthACTing as Transitions Ambassadors” and the team will discuss the partnerships they built with their families, adult partners, peers, and team members to advocate for themselves in high school, home, college, and rehabilitation service agencies to develop plans that work for them. California’s YouthACT team members will inspire their peers to use their voice to shape various transition systems for personal and policy success.

The California YouthACT team from the Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupation Program includes Branley Acevedo, Nicole Drazin and Fernando Olivarez. The team’s work is in support of the Countywide Vision’s regional goal to support the success of every child from cradle to career.

The YouthACT is a national leadership development initiative designed to get more youth with disabilities and their allies involved as leaders who partner with adults and organizations to improve opportunities for young people to succeed.

The term “youth transition” is used to describe the process and period of change young people go through between the ages of 12 and 25 that involves developing the full range of competencies they need to succeed in adult life including employment, postsecondary education, and independent and community living. While many organizations and government agencies are responsible for helping youth transition to adulthood, young people rarely have a voice in the decisions these agencies and organizations make about the programs, services, and policies that affect them. Increasing youth voice in organization and agency decision making and policy making is important to ensure youth receive the opportunities, services, and support they need during the transition to adulthood.

Vendor applications now are being accepted for the First Annual Colton Joint Unified School District College and Career Fair, to be held from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the Gonzales Community Center, 670 Colton Avenue in Colton.

This event is a collaborative effort of the Colton Joint Unified School District and City of Colton with sponsorship from Kaiser Permanente, the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, OmniTrans, and the Alliance for Education.

“We are extremely excited about our First Annual CJUSD College and Career Fair,” noted CJUSD Superintendent Jerry Almendarez. “It’s amazing to see the collaboration between our district and community with the focused objective of helping our students to find their own best path to success. This truly is a wonderful example of collective impact.”

The fair will provide students and families a “one-stop shop” where they can meet representatives from four-year colleges and universities, community colleges and technical/trade schools as well as business professionals who will be on hand to discuss a wide variety of career pathways. Workshops also will be presented to help students with planning for the future.

Although the event is primarily geared toward high school students, programming also will be offered for elementary and middle school students to help them start early on their journey toward success.

A limited number of booths are still available at no charge. Please note that all presenters must showcase materials that are appropriate for school-aged children and intended to help them learn more about possible career and college choices. The district reserves the right to decline vendors or materials if they are deemed inappropriate or in violation of board policies. Businesses, agencies or higher education institutions interested in participating in the event can contact CJUSD Communications Specialist Jacquie Paul at 909-580-6502 or Jacquie_Paul@cjusd.net for more information.

The San Bernardino County Library invites you to strengthen your superpowers and participate in our Summer Reading Program: Heroes Assemble!

Throughout the summer, we will be hosting amazing programs and activities as well as giving away fantastic rewards at all 32 of our branch libraries. Participating is easy: fly in to your local San Bernardino County Library to sign-up and become part of this read for rewards program to earn exciting weekly incentives. Reading for rewards is just the beginning. The Library will be hosting various super hero-themed programs including storytime, crafts, discovery time as well as awesome performers who provide exciting, entertaining and educational shows the whole family can enjoy. The Summer Reading Program is open to all ages so come on in and sign up the entire family. The best part – this program is absolutely free!

The fun doesn’t stop there. The County Library will offer special drawings for children and teens who meet the County Library Reading Challenge. The children’s challenge is to read at least 45 books or the equivalent in pages and minutes to receive a ticket. For teens, the challenge is to read at least eight books or the equivalent to get a ticket. New this year: each kid and teen who reached the challenge will receive a ticket for a chance to win a Kindle Fire 7” tablet at their branch library. Also, for every 25 items checked out this summer, receive a ticket for our countywide drawing to win one of the grand prizes which include Samsung Galaxy Tablets, a WiiU gaming system, a super hero-themed bike, and a kids Spider-Man Dune Buggy.

Check out the San Bernardino County Library website for details on the kick-off events and program information. Come sign up for the program and be a part of our Summer of Reading Challenge to increase summer reading participation among youth by 15 percent throughout the county.

The San Bernardino County Library System is a dynamic network of 32 branch libraries that serves a diverse population over a vast geographic area. The County library system strives to provide equal access to information, technology, programs, and services for all people who call San Bernardino County home.

The library plays a key role in the achievement of the Countywide Vision by contributing to educational, cultural, and historical development of our County community.

For more information on the San Bernardino County Library system, please visit http://www.sbclib.org/ or call (909) 387-2220.

Vision2Read, a year-long campaign designed to help improve literacy throughout San Bernardino County by connecting people to literacy programs – whether they need help or are able to help – was endorsed by the Board of Supervisors today as part of its recognition of National Literacy Month.

About 60 percent of San Bernardino County third graders are not proficient in reading, scoring lower than their peers in neighboring Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange counties on the 2013 California Standards Test. Reading at grade level by the third grade is one of the greatest predictors of children’s success in school, their likelihood of going to college, and their future earning potential, according to a 2010 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

“Vision2Read is an opportunity for all sectors and members of the San Bernardino County community to engage and take action to support literacy and the success of every child from cradle to career,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos. “Literacy has a profound impact on several elements of the Vision we have for our county, including jobs and the economy, public safety, education, and wellness.”

The Vision2Read campaign kicks off with a Saturday, Sept. 19 Family Reading Rally held by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools at Cal State University San Bernardino. More than 5,000 children and their families are expected to attend the Reading Rally from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to participate in interactive workshops, learn about the importance of reading and obtain free books.

Throughout the year, Vision2Read.com will serve as a reading and literacy portal to include literacy facts, resources and services, event information and volunteer opportunities in partnership with the United Ways of San Bernardino County and its 2-1-1 San Bernardino County and HandsOn Inland Empire programs. The web site will go live next week.

All of San Bernardino County is encouraged to get involved in Vision2Read to help raise the bar for literacy in our community and advance our efforts to achieve the Countywide Vision, adopted in June 2011 by the Board of Supervisors and the San Bernardino Associated Governments Board of Directors, which includes the County Board members and a mayor or council member from each of the county’s 24 cities and towns.

Vision2Read helps achieve both regional goals of the Countywide Vision – supporting the success of every child from cradle to career and establishing the county as a model in the state where local government, regulatory agencies and communities are truly business-friendly.